Monsters (All Time Low song) explained

Monsters
Cover:Monsters Cover Art.png
Caption:Cover of the Demi Lovato remix version
Type:single
Artist:All Time Low featuring Blackbear
Album:Wake Up, Sunshine
Released:
  • (original version)
  • (Demi Lovato version)
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Producer:
Chronology:All Time Low
Prev Title:Getaway Green
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Once in a Lifetime
Next Year:2021

"Monsters" is a song by rock band All Time Low featuring Blackbear. The song was written by FRND, Kevin Fisher, Jack Barakat, Alex Gaskarth, Blackbear and Demi Lovato, and produced by Zakk Cervini and Gaskarth. The song was originally released on April 3, 2020, by Fueled by Ramen, as part of the band's eighth studio album Wake Up, Sunshine. Following 11 weeks at number one on Billboards Alternative Airplay chart, the song was re-released with vocals by Demi Lovato on December 4, 2020.[1] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 and peaked at number 55.

Background

All Time Low, Lovato, and Blackbear teased the collaboration on social media prior to release, all sharing similar artwork, which led fans to believe a collaboration was underway.[2] The next day, the band confirmed the collaboration, specifically that Lovato would be featuring on a re-release of "Monsters", to be released that night.

Speaking to People, Gaskarth said Lovato was recruited for a re-release of the track because she had been a "friend for over ten years" and "genuinely has one of the best voices in modern music and always sounds authentic and incredible singing any genre, particularly when she's leaning into rock or punk."[3] Meanwhile, Lovato shared on Twitter that she was "stoked" to be on a song with both All Time Low and Blackbear.

Former Neck Deep bassist-turned-DJ Fil Thorpe-Evans, commonly known as Prblm Child, created an electronic remix of the song. It was released as "Monsters: Prblm Child Remix." A distorted version of the chorus behind loud bass drops is heard after the main chorus.

Composition

The song’s overall sound has been described as pop-punk,[4] alternative pop,[5] electronic rock,[6] and rap rock[6] by critics, while also being compared to Fall Out Boy.[5] [7] The song is in the key of C minor.[8]

Chart performance

The song is All Time Low's first number one on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, reaching the summit in September 2020 and remaining there for 18 weeks. As of January 2022, the song holds the record for the longest continuous run on the respective chart with 88 weeks. "Monsters" is the band's highest-charting song of their career on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 55, as well as their highest peak on pop radio.

In late 2023, "Monsters" was ranked by Billboard as the biggest hit in the history of the Alternative Airplay chart.[9] [10]

Lyric videos

Lyric videos were released for the song, with cartoon illustrations of the All Time Low band members and Blackbear running away from monstrous figures. After the release of the Demi Lovato version, a new lyric video was uploaded, where an animation representing Lovato is included in the lyric video as well, coordinated with when she sings her verses of the song. Lovato's character is also seen singing on stage backed by the band comprising monsters.

Track listing

Digital download and streaming

  1. "Monsters" – 2:54
  2. "Monsters" (Demi Lovato remix) – 2:54

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]

All Time Low

Additional musicians

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[12] 49
Czech Republic (Radio Top 100)[13] 2
Czech Republic (Modern Rock)[14] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 29
US Alternative Airplay Songs (Billboard)[16] 9
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[17] 15
Chart (2021)Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 13
US Alternative Airplay Songs (Billboard)[19] 1
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[20] 3

Notes and References

  1. Legaspi. Althea. December 4, 2020. All Time Low Recruit Demi Lovato for New 'Monsters' Version With Blackbear. December 6, 2020. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  2. Web site: Dowd. Rachael. December 4, 2020. See All Time Low, Demi Lovato and blackbear's spooky "Monsters" video. December 6, 2020. Alternative Press. en-US.
  3. Web site: All Time Low Taps Demi Lovato to 'Reimagine' Song 'Monsters': She's 'One of the Best Voices'. December 5, 2020. People.com. EN.
  4. Web site: All Time Low — Monsters (ft. Demi Lovato and blackbear). euphoriazine.com. Danielle Garcia. Erica. December 5, 2020. February 24, 2021.
  5. Web site: All Time Low – Wake Up Sunshine (Album Review). Wall of Sound. Tamara. May. 30 March 2020 . January 21, 2023. ‘Monsters’ initially gave me a new-age Fall Out Boy kinda vibe…The addition of Blackbear presents an opportunity for the band to gain some universal reach, it’s very alt/pop and they didn’t completely lose themselves here..
  6. Web site: Album Review: All Time Low – Wake Up, Sunshine. The Alternative. April 13, 2020. January 21, 2023. The track bleeds into “Monsters” featuring Blackbear, which is one of the two features that is found on the album. Dabbling in the more experimental, this slick, electro-rap/rock blend feels more at home on Last Young Renegade than it does here….
  7. Web site: All Time Low – Wake Up, Sunshine - chorus.fm. Chorus.fm. January 21, 2023. April 6, 2020. The driving bass line from Zack Merrick makes the song stomp with the some of the swagger that we have grown accustomed to from pop-punk veterans Fall Out Boy, but now All Time Low are taking their own stab at this type of scene royalty..
  8. Web site: Monsters by All Time Low featuring Blackbear Chords, Melody, and Music Theory Analysis - Hooktheory . 2024-02-14 . www.hooktheory.com.
  9. Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song. Rutherford. Kevin. Billboard. September 7, 2023. October 11, 2023.
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20231006001750/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-alternative-songs/. Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs. October 6, 2023. October 11, 2023. live. Billboard.
  11. Web site: Monsters (feat. Demi Lovato and blackbear). 6 August 2020 . Tidal. December 8, 2020.
  12. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 18 January 2021. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 18, 2021.
  13. Web site: CZ - Radio - Top 100 - All Time Low - Monsters. IFPI Czech Republic. October 12, 2022. Czech.
  14. Web site: CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - All Time Low - Monsters. IFPI Czech Republic. October 12, 2022. Czech.
  15. Web site: Year-End Charts: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2020). Billboard. December 15, 2020.
  16. Web site: Year-End Charts: Alternative Songs (2020). Billboard. February 25, 2023.
  17. Web site: Year-End Charts: Rock Airplay Songs (2020). Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  18. Web site: Year-End Charts: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2021). Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  19. Web site: Year-End Charts: Alternative Songs (2021). Billboard. February 25, 2023.
  20. Web site: Year-End Charts: Rock Airplay Songs (2021). Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  21. Year-End Charts: Alternative Airplay Songs (2022). Billboard. December 8, 2022.